Communication and coding system for controlling electrical actuators

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a communication and coding system for controlling electrical actuators.

[0002] Electrical actuation members are currently controlled by remote command devices in various ways: by feeding a simple electrical signal to the load, as in the case of relays; by applying a phase signal to the appropriate input by a pushbutton, as in the case of lighting dimmers; or finally by using serial lines conveying digital signals, as in the case of particularly advanced actuators, which can also be connected to digital command buses.

[0003] Each currently used control method however presents drawbacks and disadvantages for installers and final users.

[0004] The most simple methods from the electrical viewpoint, ie controlling by a state signal or the temporary application of a phase signal by means of a pushbutton, do not allow large versatility in controllable functions, which remain limited to load switch-on and switch-off, or possibly dimmer adjustment for lighting devices.

[0005] Other methods involve feeding the electrical actuator with variable voltages or currents, which provide information regarding load switch-on or switch-off and offer the possibility of adjustment to intermediate control values, proportional to the fed voltage or current.

[0006] In particular, a signalling system in which electrical actuation members are controlled by means of remote command devices by feeding electrical actuators with variable voltages, according to the preamble of present claim 1, is known from GB-A-2 197 568.

[0007] These method have however the drawback of not enabling (or at least only with great difficulty) several command devices to be used, positioned in parallel and connected to the same actuator. The most complex methods, which also involve serial communication between control circuits and the electrical actuator, are reliable and can comprise many control devices connectable to a single actuator, but are extremely costly.

[0008] Hence, in none of the aforesaid cases used up to the present time is it possible to connect to one and the same actuator a multiplicity of different-type command devices of circuit complexity proportional to the functions to be performed, in a simple and economical manner.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to solve the aforesaid problems by defining in particular a communication and coding system for controlling electrical actuators, which provides high versatility of controllable electrical and electronic functions, while at the same time allowing various remote command devices of different types to be connected to one and the same conductor and to a single actuator.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a communication and coding system which can also be installed within traditional circuit systems and arrangements, without involving considerable work or modification.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is to define a communication and coding system which can be implemented without the use of complex electrical and electronic technology and/or costly materials.

[0012] These objects are attained by a communication and coding system for controlling electrical actuators in accordance with claim 1, to which reference should be made for brevity.

[0013] Advantageously, the system of the invention comprises at least one actuator, connected to a constant-frequency electrical mains supply and to a series of controlled electrical loads, such as incandescent lamps, each provided with a specific command input.

[0014] The electrical actuators are provided internally with microcontrollers or state machines able to interpret the signals reaching the command input in accordance with predefined coding, for the purpose of translating them into specific actions on electrical loads controlled by them.

[0015] The system therefore comprises an assembly of different-type remote command devices traversed by a phase signal of the electrical mains supply and are each provided with a specific control output, and finally a single-wire electrical conductor which directly connects remote command device outputs and actuator inputs together; in the absence of commands, this conductor is in its rest condition.

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the communication and coding system of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example on the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the communication and coding system for controlling electrical actuators, according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cartesian graph showing the time-variation of the voltage relative to a load switch-on or switch-off signal fed by a first remote command device of the communication and coding system, according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a cartesian graph showing the time-variation of the voltage relative to a load brightness adjustment signal fed by the remote command device of Figure 2, according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a cartesian graph showing the time-variation of the voltage relative to a load switch-on signal, followed by a brightness adjustment signal and by a load switch-off signal, which are fed by the remote command device of Figure 2, according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a cartesian graph showing the time-variation of the voltage relative to a load switch-on or switch-off signal fed by a second remote command device of the communication and coding system, according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a cartesian graph showing the time-variation of the voltage relative to a load adjustment signal fed by the remote command device of Figure 5, according to the present invention;

Figure 7 and Figure 8 are two cartesian graphs showing examples of the time-variation of signals comprising load switch-on, adjustment and switch-off functions, which are fed by a third remote command device of the communication and coding system, according to the present invention;

Figure 9 is a partial block diagram of a modification of the communication and coding system, according to the present invention.

[0017] With reference in particular to Figures 1 and 9, SC indicates overall the communication and coding system for controlling electrical actuators A, according to the present invention, AL indicates an electrical mains supply of sinusoidal voltage and constant frequency, for example a 230 V mains supply, N indicates the neutral conductor of the mains AL, L indicates the controlled electric loads, for example incandescent lamps, each provided with an electrical actuator A with a specific command input P, and finally ALR indicates an electrical conductor which transmits the command signal from the actuator A to the corresponding load L. D, E, S, U indicate four particular remote command devices, connected to the phase conductor of the electrical mains supply AL and provided with a command output for the actuators A.

[0018] Specifically, D indicates a knob command device with double movement, in which pressing the accompanying button determines switch-on, switch-off and memorization of the brightness values set for the lamps L, whereas rotating the knob adjusts the brightness of the lamps L; E indicates a pushbutton command device to interrupt or feed an electrical signal to the actuators A; S indicates a sensor device (for brightness, presence or other); and U indicates an interface able to receive commands from a digital communication bus BU to then convert them into an electrical command to feed to the actuators A.

[0019] Finally, CP indicates a control conductor which directly connects together the outputs of the remote command devices D, E, S, U, and the command inputs P of the actuators A; in the absence of commands, the control conductor CP is in its rest condition.

[0020] With particular reference to Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, V, W along the vertical axis of the cartesian graphs indicate voltage and power signals respectively, T along the horizontal axis of the cartesian graphs indicates time, and T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 indicate particular time periods along the horizontal axis of the various graphs.

[0021] We shall now examine in detail the operation of the various remote command devices D, E, S, U, together with the type of coding of the commands which they are able to feed to the actuators A, in a particular embodiment of the invention described by way of non-limiting example, in which said remote command devices D, E, S, U behave as dimmers for load lamps L.

[0022] The pushbutton command device E can feed a switch-on or switch-off command and an adjustment command to the load lamps L via the actuators A.

[0023] The switch-on or switch-off command is fed by pressing the pushbutton E. The pushbutton E is pressed for a time less than a predefined limiting time value T5.

[0024] This connects the control conductor CP to the phase of the sinusoidal mains AL voltage, with feed of a corresponding limited number of complete sine waves at mains AL frequency to the command input P of the actuators A.

[0025] The load lamps L are powered or extinguished cyclically at each pressing of the pushbutton E.

[0026] The command for adjusting the brightness of the lamps L is achieved by pressing the pushbutton E for a time exceeding the predefined limiting value T5, to feed whole sine waves at mains AL frequency to the input P of the actuators A.

[0027] This is sensed by the actuators A, which power the lamps L via the conductor ALR whatever the preceding state, and enter the adjustment cycle to increase and decrease the brightness of the load lamps L.

[0028] The desired brightness value is maintained by the actuator A the moment in which the pushbutton E is released.

[0029] A switch-off operation follower by a switch-on operation restores the last brightness value set by the adjustment cycle.

[0030] The knob command device D can also feed switch-on or switch-off and adjustment commands.

[0031] In a manner similar to the pushbutton command device E, switch-on and switch-off are achieved by axially pressing the knob D for a time less than the predetermined time T5.

[0032] Applying along the control conductor CD a train of whole sine waves, half-waves or parts thereof taken from the electrical mains supply AL and continuing for a time less than the predetermined time T5 causes load switch-off if previously switched on and switch-on if previously switched off.

[0033] In contrast, applying along the control conductor CD a train of whole sine waves, half-waves or parts thereof continuously for a time exceeding the time T5 activates a cycle of adjustment of the electrical power W fed to the load, such that said electrical power W is proportional to the time for which the wave train is maintained.

[0034] The electrical power W reaches an extreme value and remains defined until the next application of wave trains taken from the mains AL.

[0035] Alternatively the direction of adjustment can be reversed by persisting with the wave train.

[0036] The brightness level of the lamps L, operated by the actuators A, is the last brightness level set by any one command device D, E, S, U of those provided in the communication and coding system SC of the present invention.

[0037] Load brightness adjustment is hence effected by rotating the knob D, which is proportional to the brightness value desired.

[0038] When this value has been reached, the knob D is pressed for a time exceeding the predefined limiting value T5, so as to feed to the command inputs P of the actuator A, for the entire pressing time, a periodic signal of particular form (examples in this sense are shown in Figures 6, 7, 8), taken from the sinusoidal voltage signal (shown in Figure 5) withdrawable from the electrical mains supply AL, in which the form of an individual half-wave is divided into three time periods T1, T2, T3, in the third time period T3 there being contained a fourth time period T4 of conduction of the signal along the conductor CP, and proportional to the angular position of the knob D.

[0039] Alternatively, the knob D can be pressed to power the load lamps L, after which the adjustment is made by rotating the knob D, while simultaneously pressing.

[0040] If the form of an individual component half-wave of the command train is divided into three time periods T1, T2, T3 (as stated heretofore), in which during the first time period T1 there is signal conduction along the conductor CP, during the second time period T2 there is no conduction, and the third time period T3 contains a conduction period T4, the electrical power W fed to the load is proportional to the ratio of the time periods T4 and T3 respectively.

[0041] The desired brightness value of the load lamps L is therefore proportional to the angle of rotation of the knob D about its axis. Different angles of the knob D result in a like variation in the duration of conduction of an individual half-wave (component of the command wave train), which corresponds to the time period T4 of the signal of Figure 8.

[0042] The interface U, which is connected to a digital communication bus BU, can feed the actuator A, via the control conductor CP, with all the aforedescribed signals, following commands originating from the digital bus BU.

[0043] It can also set the actuator A to desired brightness values for the load L by simulating an adjustment procedure, ie maintaining for a time exceeding the prefixed limiting value T5 that half-wave of the signal of Figure 5 corresponding to the time period T3 in a manner proportional to the brightness value required for the load lamp L.

[0044] The sensor device S can be of. various types, for example it can be a presence or darkness sensor. The command fed along the control conductor CP by the sensor S can be a switch-on command for the load lamp L, followed by a switch-off command on reaching a given condition (a predetermined time, a required brightness level, for example, for self-adjustment, etc.).

[0045] Finally the remote command devices D, E, S, U can be represented by a regulated output of a first actuator A which, via a control conductor CP, is returned to the input of a second actuator A2 of the system SC, in accordance with the connection diagram of Figure 9.

[0046] In this case, the electrical actuator A2 enters into self-adjustment, by positioning itself at the brightness level present along the conductor ALR leaving the actuator A, consequent on switching-off and switching-on the load lamps L.

[0047] The application of a voltage signal dependent on the electrical output power WS of each actuator A to the control conductor CP causes an electrical power value W to be fed to the load L connected to the actuator A2 which is proportional to the level sensed along the electrical conductor ALR leaving the actuator A.

[0048] From the aforegoing description, the characteristics of the communication and coding system for controlling electrical actuators according to the present invention are evident, as are its advantages.

[0049] In particular, these are represented by:

• considerable versatility of controllable functions, because of the multiplicity of signals applicable to the control conductor and the variety of types of devices within the actuators, able to reconstruct the desired behaviour from the input signals;
• maintenance of the traditional configuration in parallel with the remote command devices, resulting in the possibility of connecting command devices of different type to the same control conductor, provided these are of the scheduled types (it is hence possible to use both a pushbutton connected to the phase of the electrical mains supply and a knob command device, a sensor or an interface for connection to digital communication buses for activating the same actuator);
• possibility of positioning several actuators in parallel, while at the same time ensuring functional balance (all switched on or off simultaneously, or all under adjustment at the same percentage);
• extremely low cost of the remote command devices, such as the phase-connected pushbutton;
• possibility of easily connecting several actuators in a master/slave configuration, in which only the master actuator is connected to the control conductor;
• possibility of using the communication and coding system of the present invention in traditional-method electrical installations and systems (for example comprising dimmers and adjustment pushbuttons).

[0050] It is apparent that numerous modifications can be made by an expert of the art to the communication and coding system of the present invention, but without leaving the scope of protection of the inventive idea, that in the practical implementation of the invention the forms of the illustrated details can be different, and that these can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. Communication and coding system (SC) for controlling electrical actuators (A), which is connected to an electrical mains supply (AL) of sinusoidal voltage feeding at least one remote command device (D, E, S, U), said system (SC) comprising at least one electrical load element (L), in which electrical power (W) is dissipated and to which at least one neutral conductor (N) of the mains supply (AL) and at least one means (ALR) for electrical connection to each of said actuators (A) are connected, said command device (D, E, S, U) and said actuator (A) each being provided with a specific command input (P) and a specific command output and further being connected to the phase of said mains supply (AL) and being connected together by an electrical control conductor (CP), which collects electrical signals from said command device (D, E, S, U) and controls said load element (L), via said actuator (A), in accordance with an electronic coding for feeding, interrupting and adjusting electrical power (W), which is transmitted through said load element (L), and for interpreting and communicating electrical signals collected from said command device (D, E, S, U), whereby said electronic coding consists of feeding along said control conductor (CP) a train of sinusoidal half-waves, each half-waves varying with time and said variation being divisible into three portions, of which a first portion corresponds to a first time period (T1) during which said command device (D, E, S, U) is actuated so that the control conductor (CP) is held at the voltage of the electrical mains supply (AL), a second portion corresponds to a second time period (T2) during which said command device (D, E, S, U) is actuated so that the control conductor (CP) is held at zero voltage, and a third portion corresponds to a third time period (T3), which contains a fourth time period (T4), whereby the control conductor (CP) is held at the voltage of the electrical mains supply (AL) during the fourth time period (T4) and held at zero voltage during the rest of the third time period (T3), characterised in that said remote command devices (D, E, S, U) consist of at least one pushbutton (E), at least one control and adjustment knob (D), at least one interface (U) for connection to a digital communication bus (BU) and at least one sensor device (S), said control and adjustment knob (D) having a rotary movement and an axial movement, so that, on pressing said knob (D) in an axial direction, a periodic voltage signal, obtained from the voltage signal of said mains supply (AL), is fed along said control conductor (CP), said periodic voltage signal comprising a train of sinusoidal half-waves, each half-waves varying with time and said variation being divisible into three portions, of which a first portion corresponds to said first time period (T1) during which said control conductor (CP) is held at the voltage of the electrical mains supply (AL), a second portion corresponds to said second time period (T2) during which said control conductor (CP) is held at zero voltage, and a third portion corresponds to said third time period (T3), which contains said fourth time period (T4), whereby the control conductor (CP) is held at the voltage of the electrical mains supply (AL) during said fourth time period (T4) and held at zero voltage during the rest of said third time period (T3), said fourth time period (T4) and the ratio of said fourth time period (T4) to said third time period (T3) being proportional to the angular position of said knob (D) about its axis of rotation, said electrical power (W), which is transmitted through said load element (L), also being proportional to said ratio of the fourth time period (T4) to the third time period (T3).

2. Communication and coding system (SC) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said sensor device (S) is a brightness/darkness sensor or a presence sensor.

3. Communication and coding system (SC) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said periodic voltage signal is fed along said control conductor (CP) for a period of time less than a prefixed time period (T5), so that said electrical load elements (L) are not operating if they are previously operating and, vice-versa, said electrical load elements (L) are operating if they are previously not operating, said electronic coding further being such that the application of a train of whole waves or half-waves continuing for a time exceeding said prefixed time period (T5) activates a cycle of adjustment of the electrical power (W) fed to the load (L), so that said power (W) is proportional to the time for which said wave train is maintained, to reach an extreme value and remain defined thereat until a next wave train application or. the direction of adjustment is reversed by persisting with said wave train.

4. Communication and coding system (SC) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said electronic coding is managed so as to fed into said control conductor (CP) a voltage signal, which drops at the output of a first actuator (A) of said electrical actuators, causing an electrical power value, which is proportional to the output power (W) of said first actuator (A), to be fed to one of said load elements (L), connected to a second actuator (A2) of said electrical actuators, thus obtaining automatic self-adjustment of said second actuator (A2), which becomes positioned at corresponding levels of electrical power (W) deliverable with respect to said first actuator (A), relative to the maximum deliverable by each of said actuators.

5. Communication and coding system (SC) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each of said load elements (L) is constituted by an incandescent lamp, which is operating when electrical power (W) is fed, and is not operating when electrical power (W) transmission is interrupted.

Ansprüche

1. Kommunikations- und Kodiersystem (SC) zum Steuern von elektrischen Aktuatoren (A), das mit einer elektrischen Stromversorgungsleitung (AL) mit sinusförmiger Spannung verbunden ist, die zumindest eine Fernsteuerungseinrichtung (D, E, S, U) versorgt, wobei das System (SC) zumindest ein elektrisches Lastelement (L) umfasst, in dem elektrische Energie (W) verbraucht wird und an das zumindest ein Nullleiter (N) der Stromversorgungsleitung (AL) und zumindest eine Einrichtung (ALR) zum elektrischen Verbinden mit jedem der Aktuatoren (A) angeschlossen sind, wobei die Steuereinrichtung (D, E, S, U) und der Aktuator (A) jeweils mit einem spezifischen Steuereingang (P) und einem spezifischen Steuerausgang versehen und ferner an die Phase der Stromversorgungsleitung (AL) angeschlossen und miteinander durch einen elektrischen Steuerleiter (CP) verbunden sind, der elektrische Signale von der Steuereinrichtung (D, E, S, U) aufnimmt und das Lastelement (L) über den Aktuator (A) steuert, und zwar in Übereinstimmung mit einer elektronischen Kodierung zum Zuführen, Unterbrechen und Einstellen elektrischer Energie (W), die durch das Lastelement (L) übertragen wird, sowie zum Interpretieren und Kommunizieren von der Steuereinrichtung (D, E, S, U) erhaltener elektrischer Signale, wobei die elektrische Kodierung darin besteht, eine Reihe sinusförmiger Halbwellen entlang dem Steuerleiter (CP) zuzuführen, wobei jede Halbwelle über die Zeit variiert und die Variation in drei Abschnitte teilbar ist, wovon ein erster Abschnitt einer ersten Zeitdauer (T1) entspricht, während der die Steuereinrichtung (D, E, S, U) betätigt wird, so dass der Steuerleiter (CP) auf der Spannung der elektrischen Stromversorgungsleitung (AL) gehalten wird, ein zweiter Abschnitt einer zweiten Zeitdauer (T2) entspricht, während der die Steuereinrichtung (D, E, S, U) betätigt wird, so dass der Steuerleiter (CP) auf Nullspannung gehalten wird, und ein dritter Abschnitt einer dritten Zeitdauer (T3) entspricht, die eine vierte Zeitdauer (T4) umfasst, wobei der Steuerleiter (CP) während der vierten Zeitdauer (T4) auf der Spannung der elektrischen Stromversorgungsleitung (AL) und während der restlichen dritten Zeitdauer (T3) auf Nullspannung gehalten wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Fernsteuerungseinrichtungen (D, E, S, U) aus zumindest einem Drucktaster (E), zumindest einem Steuer- und Einstellknopf (D), zumindest einer Schnittstelle (U) zur Verbindung mit einer digitalen Kommunikations-Busleitung (BU) und zumindest einer Sensoreinrichtung (S) bestehen, wobei der Steuer- und Einstellknopf (D) über eine Drehbewegung und eine Axialbewegung verfügt, so dass, beim Drücken des Knopfes (D) in eine axiale Richtung, ein periodisches Spannungssignal, das von dem Spannungssignal der Stromversorgungsleitung (AL) erhalten wird, entlang dem Steuerleiter (CP) zugeführt wird, wobei das periodische Spannungssignal eine Reihe von sinusförmigen Halbwellen umfasst, und wobei jede Halbwelle über die Zeit variiert und die Variation in drei Abschnitte teilbar ist, wovon ein erster Abschnitt der ersten Zeitdauer (T1) entspricht, während der der Steuerleiter (CP) auf der Spannung der elektrisch Stromversorgungsleitung (AL) gehalten wird, ein zweiter Abschnitt der zweiten Zeitdauer (T2) entspricht, während der der Steuerleiter (CP) auf Nullspannung gehalten wird, und ein dritter Abschnitt der dritten Zeitdauer (T3) entspricht, welche die vierte Zeitdauer (T4) umfasst, wobei der Steuerleiter (CP) während der vierten Zeitdauer (T4) auf der Spannung der elektrischen Stromversorgungsleitung (AL) und während der restlichen dritten Zeitdauer (T3) auf Nullspannung gehalten wird, wobei die vierte Zeitdauer (T4) und das Verhältnis der vierten Zeitdauer (T4) zur dritten Zeitdauer (T3) proportional zur Winkelstellung des Knopfes (D) um dessen Drehachse sind, wobei die elektrische Energie (W), die durch das Lastelement (L) übertragen wird, ebenfalls proportional zu dem Verhältnis der vierten Zeitdauer (T4) zur dritten Zeitdauer (T3) ist.

2. Kommunikations- und Kodiersystem (SC) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Sensoreinrichtung (S) ein Hell/Dunkel-Sensor oder ein Anwesenheitssensor ist.

3. Kommunikations- und Kodiersystem (SC) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das periodische Spannungssignal entlang dem Steuerleiter (CP) über eine Zeitdauer zugeführt wird, die kürzer als eine vordefinierte Zeitdauer (T5) ist, so dass die elektrischen Lastelemente (L) nicht arbeiten, wenn sie zuvor gearbeitet haben, und umgekehrt die elektrischen Lastelemente (L) arbeiten, wenn sie zuvor nicht gearbeitet haben, wobei die elektronische Kodierung ferner derart ist, dass das Anwenden einer Reihe von Ganzwellen oder Halbwellen, das über einen Zeitraum andauert, der die vordefinierte Zeitdauer (T5) übersteigt, einen Einstellzyklus der elektrischen Energie (W) aktiviert, die dem Lastelement (L) zugeführt wird, so dass die Energie (W) proportional zu der Zeitdauer ist, über die die Wellenreihe aufrechterhalten wird, um einen extremen Wert zu erreichen und auf diesem definiert zu bleiben bis zu einer nächsten Wellenreihenanwendung oder bis zur Umkehrung der Einstellrichtung durch Fortbestehen mit der Wellenreihe.

4. Kommunikations- und Kodiersystem (SC) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die elektronische Kodierung so disponiert ist, dass dem Steuerleiter (CP) ein Spannungssignal zugeführt wird, das am Ausgang eines ersten Aktuators (A) der elektrischen Aktuatoren abfällt, wodurch ein elektrischer Energiewert verursacht wird, der proportional zur Ausgangsenergie (W) des ersten Aktuators (A) ist, welche einem der Lastelemente (L) zuzuführen ist, das mit einem zweiten Aktuator (A2) der elektrischen Aktuatoren verbunden ist, wodurch eine automatische Selbsteinstellung des zweiten Aktuators (A2) erreicht wird, welcher auf entsprechenden Pegeln elektrischer Energie (W) eingestellt wird, die bezogen auf den ersten Aktuator (A) lieferbar sind, und zwar relativ zu dem Maximum, das von jedem der Aktuatoren lieferbar ist.

5. Kommunikations- und Kodiersystem (SC) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes der Lastelemente (L) aus einer Glühlampe besteht, die arbeitet, wenn elektrische Energie (W) zugeführt wird, und nicht arbeitet, wenn die Übertragung elektrischer Energie (W) unterbrochen ist.

Revendications

1. Système de communication et de codage (SC) pour commander des actionneurs électriques (A), qui est connecté à une alimentation électrique de tension sinusoïdale par le secteur (AL) alimentant au moins un dispositif de commande à distance (D, E, S, U), ledit système (SC) comprenant au moins un élément de charge électrique (L), dans lequel est dissipée une puissance électrique (W) et auquel sont connectés au moins un conducteur neutre (N) de l'alimentation par le secteur (AL) et au moins un moyen (ALR) de connexion électrique à chacun desdits actionncurs (A), ledit dispositif de commande (D, E, S, U) et ledit actionneur (A) étant chacun munis d'une entrée de commande spécifique (P) et d'une sortie de commande spécifique et étant, en outre, connectés à la phase de ladite alimentation par le secteur (AL) et étant connectés ensemble par un conducteur de commande électrique (CP), qui recueille les signaux électriques provenant dudit dispositif de commande (D, E, S, U) et commande ledit élément de charge (L), par l'intermédiaire dudit actionneur (A), suivant un code électronique pour alimenter, interrompre et ajuster la puissance électrique (W) qui est transmise par ledit élément de charge (L), et pour interpréter et communiquer lesdits signaux électriques recueillis à partir dudit dispositif de commande (D, E, S, U), grâce à quoi ledit codage électronique consiste à délivrer sur ledit conducteur de commande (CP) un train de demi-ondes sinusoïdales, chaque demi-onde variant dans le temps et ladite variation étant susceptible d'être divisée en trois parties, une première partie correspondant à une première période de temps (TI) durant laquelle ledit dispositif de commande (D, E, S, U) est actionné de façon à ce que le conducteur de commande (CP) soit maintenu à la tension de l'alimentation électrique par le secteur (AL), une deuxième partie correspondant à une deuxième période de temps (T2) durant laquelle ledit dispositif de commande (D, E, S, U) est actionnd de façon à ce que le conducteur de commande (CP) soit maintenu à une tension nulle, et une troisième partie correspondant à une troisième période de temps (T3), qui contient une quatrième période de temps (T4), grâce à quoi le conducteur de commande (CP) est maintenu à la tension de l'alimentation électrique par le secteur (AL) durant la quatrième période de temps (T4) et est maintenu à une tension nulle durant le reste de la troisième période de temps (T3), caractérisé en ce que lesdits dispositifs de commande à distance (D, E, S, U) sont constitués par au moins un bouton-poussoir (E), au moins un bouton de commande et de réglage (D), au moins une interface (U) destinée à être reliée à un bus de communication numérique (BU) et au moins un dispositif capteur (S), ledit bouton de commande et de réglage (D) ayant un déplacement rotatif et un déplacement axial, de manière à ce que, en pressant ledit bouton (D) dans une direction axiale, un signal périodique en tension, obtenu à partir du signal en tension de ladite alimentation par le secteur (AL), soit délivré sur ledit conducteur de commande (CP), ledit signal périodique en tension étant constitué par un train de demi-ondes sinusoïdales, chaque demi-onde variant dans le temps et ladite variation étant susceptible d'être divisée en trois parties, une première partie correspondant à ladite première période de temps (T1) durant laquelle ledit conducteur de commande (CP) est maintenu à la tension de l'alimentation électrique par le secteur (AL), une deuxième partie correspondant à ladite deuxième période de temps (T2) durant laquelle ledit conducteur de commande (CP) est maintenu à une tension nulle et une troisième partie correspondant à ladite troisième période de temps (T3), qui contient ladite quatrième période de temps (T4), grâce à quoi le conducteur de commande (CP) est maintenu à la tension de l'alimentation électrique par le secteur (AL) durant ladite quatrième période de temps (T4) et est maintenu à une tension nulle durant le reste de ladite troisième période de temps (T3), ladite quatrième periode de temps (T4) et le rapport de ladite quatrième période de temps (T4) sur ladite troisième période de temps (T3) étant proportionnels à la position angulaire dudit bouton (D) autour de son axe de rotation, ladite puissance électrique (W), qui est transmise par ledit élément de charge (L), étant également proportionnelle audit rapport de la quatrième période de temps (T4) sur la troisième période de temps (T3)

2. Système de communication et de codage (SC) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif capteur (S) est un capteur de luminosité /obscurité ou un capteur de présence.

3. Système de communication et de codage (SC) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce ledit signal périodique en tension est délivré sur ledit conducteur de commandc (CP) pendant une période de temps inférieure à une période de temps prédéterminée (T5), de manière à ce que lesdits éléments de charge électrique (L) ne fonctionnent pas s'ils fonctionnaient auparavant et, inversement, à ce que lesdits éléments de charge électrique (L) fonctionnent s'ils ne fonctionnaient pas auparavant, ledit codage électronique étant, en outre, tel que l'application d'un train d'ondes entières ou de demi-ondes, se poursuivant pendant un temps dépassant ladite période de temps prédéterminée (T5), actionne un cycle d'ajustement de la puissance électrique (W) fournie à la charge (L), de façon à ce que ladite puissance (W) soit proportionnelle au temps pendant lequel est maintenu ledit train d'ondes, jusqu'à atteindre une valeur extrême et demeure définie à ce niveau jusqu'à l'application d'un train d'ondes suivant, jusqu'à ce que la direction de réglage soit inversée par la persistance dudit train d'ondes.

4. Système de communication et de codage (SC) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit codage électronique est configuré de manière à délivrer dans ledit conducteur de commande (CP) un signal en tension, qui chute à la sortie d'un premier actionneur (A) parmi lesdits actionneurs électriques, en faisant en sorte qu'une puissance électrique d'une certaine valeur, proportionnelle à la puissance de sortie (W) dudit premier actionneur (A), soit fournie à un desdits éléments de charge (L), relié à un deuxième actionneur (A2) parmi lesdits actionneurs électriques, en obtenant ainsi un auto-ajustement automatique dudit deuxième actionneur (A2), qui devient positionné à des niveaux correspondants de puissance électrique (W) susceptible d'être fournie en ce qui concerne ledit premier actionneur (A), par rapport à la puissance maximale susceptible d'être fournie par chacun desdits actionneurs.

5. Système de communication et de codage (SC) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que chacun desdits éléments de charge (L) est constitué par une lampe à incandescence, qui fonctionne lorsqu'une puissance électrique (W) est fournie et qui ne fonctionne pas lorsque la transmission d'une puissance électrique (W) est interrompue.

Drawing